Spool



(N6 Model.)

P. TAYLOR.

SPOOL.

No. 391,566.. Patented Oct. 23, 1888,

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FRANKLIN TAYLOR, OF WILMINGTON, DELAWVARE.

YSPOOL...

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 391,566, dated October 23, 1888.

(X0 model.)

as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to improvements in spools, such as are used to supply threads, 850., in manufacturing various fabrics of silks, cotton, wool, and the like; and my object is to so construct the spools that they shall be strong and durable and not liable to become this shapen or injured in use.

In accordance with my invention I make the heads of the spools of vulcanized fiber strength ened by being re-enforced, as hereinafter explained. In this way I provide spools which retain their shape and are not so liable to be injured by rough or careless usage as are the ordinarily-employed spools with wooden heads, which readily crack, chip off at their edges, and are frequently rendered useless by falling and by forcible contact with each other or with other objects. At the same time I avoid objections to the use of spools with metallic heads, such, for instance, as are due to the heads becoming indented or bent at the edges by accidental blows, by the dropping of the spools, &c.; and I also avoid that objection to the metallic heads arising from injuries sometimes caused to external objects by being cut, indented, or abraded by contact with the edges of the heads.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a section on the linel of Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is an end View of the spool-head, and Fig. 3 a similar view showing a modification on a reduced scale.

The spoolheads A, which may be made of any desired diametersay from a few inches to a foot or moreaccording to the particular use to which they are to be put, and of a thickness in suitable proportion to diametersay from one-eighth to one-half inch-are composed of disks of vulcanized fiber with smooth inner surfaces and re-enforced upon their outer surfaces to impart needed strength with minimum weight and amount ofmaterial. As shown, each disk for the spool-heads is reenforced in the following way: \Vhile in a suf ficiently heated condition the material is condensed at a by powerful pressure, the pressure exerted in condensing the circular portion a of the disk being such as to form a depression or groove in the material and so reduce its thickness, say, one sixteenth of an inch, (more orless,) according to the thickness of the disk, the material being reducedin thickness at the condensed portion to, say, about three-fourths the thickness of the main portion of the disk. The result of this condensation is to greatly strengthen or stiffen the disk. To still further re-enforce the disk, it is condensed radially, the radial condensed portions 1) being of any desired number, and the condensing of the material producing grooves, as shown.

In lieu of simply re-enforcing the material by condensing it radially and circularly the disks may be re-enforced by strips e, preferably of metal, which may be embedded in the outer surface of the disk, as shown by Fig. 3. These strips may be forced into the grooves as they are formed by condensing the mate rial. To secure the stripsin place, rivets 01 may be employed in suitable number. The disks may each have formed in them one or more additional circular condensed portions.

The heads are secured in suitable way to the barrel or spindle B, usually made of wood. As shown, the ends of the spindle are secured by screws centrally in the heads.

It will be seen that by my improvements I provide a light, strong, and durable spool, the heads of which are not liable to be broken and are prevented from becoming misshapen by reason of the toughness and elasticity of the material composing them.

I claim as my invention 1. A spool the heads of which are composed of vulcanized fiber re-enforced by condensed portions of the material, having the grooves in their outer surfaces, and with the smooth inner surfaces, substantially as set forth.

2. The combination, with a spool-head of vulcanized fiber having the grooves in its outer surface, of the re-enforcing strips, substan tially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

FRANKLIN TAYLOR.

Witnesses:

ANSON S. TAYLOR, EDW. F. SIMPsON, Jr. 

